Rose-scented pelargoniums, usually sold as rose geraniums, are the classic scented-leaf plant. Rub a leaf and you get the rich, sweet scent of old roses, often with a hint of lemon or mint. They have been grown in British homes and conservatories since Victorian times.
Varieties to try
Where to grow them
Grow them in pots by a door, on a patio or on a bright windowsill, where you will touch the leaves often. They also make good conservatory plants and can be kept growing indoors all year.
Growing them
Give them bright light and a free-draining compost, and water once the surface has dried. From February, feed with an organic seaweed feed or tomato feed, then switch to a high-potash feed from June to extend the flowering season. Pinch out the growing tips to keep plants bushy. They are tender, so bring them in before the first frost and keep them somewhere frost-free over winter.
Using the leaves
Rose geranium leaves have long been used in the kitchen. Lay a few in the base of a cake tin before baking a sponge, or bury them in a jar of sugar for a week to scent it.
Browse all our scented-leaved pelargoniums for more fragrances.
Please note there is a minimum order of 3 plants. All mail-order pelargoniums are grown and sent out in 6cm biodegradable fibre pots, which can be planted straight into compost without removing them. Roots grow naturally through the pot as it breaks down over time.
